The Iliad

TOLSTOY CALLED THE ILIAD A miracle; Goethe said that it always thrust him into a state of astonishment. Homer's story is thrilling, and his Greek is perhaps the most beautiful poetry ever sung or written. But until now, even the best English translations haven't been able to re-create the energy and simplicity, the speed, grace, and pulsing rhythm of the original.

In Stephen Mitchell's Iliad, the epic story resounds again across 2,700 years, as if the lifeblood of its heroes Achilles and Patroclus, Hector and Priam flows in every word. And we are there with them, amid the horror and ecstasy of war, carried along by a poetry that lifts even the most devastating human events into the realm of the beautiful.

Mitchell's Iliad is the first translation based on the work of the preeminent Homeric scholar Martin L. West, whose edition of the original Greek identifies many passages that were added after the Iliad was first written down, to the detriment of the music and the story. Omitting these hundreds of interpolated lines restores a dramatically sharper, leaner text. In addition, Mitchell's illuminating introduction opens the epic still further to our understanding and appreciation.

Now, thanks to Stephen Mitchell's scholarship and the power of his language, the Iliad 's ancient story comes to moving, vivid new life.

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It felt a bit odd to give a star rating to this book as almost 3000 years of existence speaks for itself. I suppose my rating is to express my respect and admiration. I put a lot of time and effort (including some supplementary material) into reading this and it really paid off. It was a real experience for me.

A highly-readable poetic adaptation of the Iliad, easier to follow even than a lot of prose versions I've seen. The Bernard Knox introductory essay is also a goldmine, whether you're new to Homer and want a sense of what you're getting into, or looking to reread with a more nuanced perspective.

I have yet to finish this version of the Iliad, however I must say that this rewrite of the masterpiece by Homer is very good. To Homer aficionado's I think that you should read this book and at least try to enjoy the way that Barry B. Powell saw fit to show the world his vision of the Trojan downfall, However be prepared to sit alone while you enjoy this wonderfully new outtake on the Iliad because it is best read alone without constant distractions to take away from the joy of reading a modern interpretation of an all time classic and a beautifully written epic, which will as long as humanity retains any sense of intelligence and understands the value of beautifully written literature will never be forgotten.

The Iliad had enchanted me so many ways; it is always a good book to return to. The translation of Stephen Mitchell's Iliad relives the story itself, with its liveliness and simplicity. The way Homer wrote the ending was very outstanding, leaving the fans of The Iliad thirsty for more. The years that this book re-tells us is simply outstanding, the work of a miracle in its place. It brings back the battles and drama, matching the exact horror of the battle of Achilles and Hector. In this masterpiece, Stephen Mitchell takes the simple words and re-creates them, forcing us into the tears and drama of this book, entering us in the world of the heroes, Achilles, Hector, Patroclus and Priam. The doors of Mitchell's translation takes the epic poem and makes it into words we can understand, yet can also make it insanely outstanding.

"The Iliad is a stunning and powerful poem. Set in the final year of the Trojan War, it tells the story of the wrath of the great Greek hero Achilles and its terrible consequences for the Greeks and Trojans. It features the great heroes of Greek myth, including King Agamemnon, Odysseus, and Ajax on the Greek side, and Hector, King Priam, Queen Hecuba, Paris, and Helen of Troy on the Trojan side. The story begins with an argument between Achilles and King Agamemnon that results in Achilles withdrawing in anger from the fighting, and then follows the terrible outcome of this decision through the violence and deaths of warriors on both sides. Played out against the background of the tragic fall of Troy and Achilles' own imminent death, it raises issues of honor, courage, rage, the nature of forgiveness, and ultimately, the meaning of life in the face of death. It is an unforgettable poem.” Annotation by Professor Walter Englert.

Kdmullerspy
Jul 06, 2012

Slightly boring, but okay.

dpecsreads
Jun 27, 2012

Currently midway through Book 11.

ohskaggs
Jan 07, 2012

I had not read the Iliad before I got this book from the library. I found it enthralling, and exciting. A very good book!

Summary

Iliad is a story of raw emotions . The story has its roots in Helen being seduced and abducted by Paris and the greeks coalesce together to attack the Trojans. In the 10th year of fighting , Agememnon , King of all greeks takes away Brisieus who was given to Achilles . Achilles cannot forgive the insult and prays to Zeus via his mother to teach the Greeks a lesson . Zeus obliges him via Hector and the rampage continues until one of Achilles beloved comrades , Patrocles joins in the fight to stop Hector but is slain . Achilles slays Hector and takes his body with him to the Greek camp to deny him a burial . Hector's father Priam shows up in the Greek camp in disguise and begs Achilles to give him his son's body back. Achilles breaks down and lets Priam have the body.